About
The character '鞭' originated as a phono-semantic compound incorporating the semantic element '革' for leather and the phonetic element '便' for sound, consistently denoting a leather whip throughout its history. Its structure reflects a classical method of character formation where meaning and pronunciation were combined, and while the graphic form has remained stable, the semantic range has broadened from the concrete noun for a whip to include the verbal action of whipping. This expansion facilitated metaphorical applications, such as urging or punishing, and further extended to objects that resemble a whip in form or function, like certain fireworks, all while retaining its essential compositional integrity.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
我们一起放鞭炮。
车夫挥舞着鞭子。
不要用鞭子打动物。
鞭炮的声音很大。
他受到老师的鞭策。
鞭打是残酷的惩罚。
这种鞭策让他更努力。
历史上的鞭刑已被废除。